The appetizers are what everyone actually grazes on while the turkey finishes — so they deserve more thought than a bowl of chips. Here are 32 Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving starters, from warm dips and stuffed bites to make-ahead boards that keep the crowd happy until dinner is served.
Air Fryer Babybel Cheese
If you’ve tried making these before and ended up with a sad, melted puddle in your basket — this recipe fixes that. There’s one key step most people skip, and once you know it, you’ll get that perfect golden crust with a gooey, molten center every time. Bite-sized, fun, and seriously addictive.
Easy Crockpot Cream Cheese Dip
This is the dip I bring to every party because it requires almost zero effort and disappears faster than you can say ‘grab a chip.’ Just toss everything into the slow cooker and walk away — it comes out ridiculously creamy and loaded with bold taco flavor. It’s always the first bowl scraped clean.
Easy Texas Christmas Dip
Packed with creamy cheese, green chiles, and a little festive kick, this dip is a total crowd-pleaser no matter the occasion. It whips up in minutes and hits the table looking gorgeous — don’t be surprised when everyone immediately reaches for the chips. It goes fast, so double the batch.
Easy 7 Layer Dip Cups
These are a fun, bite-sized twist on the classic party favorite — everyone gets their own perfect little cup loaded with beans, guac, cheese, and all the good stuff. They’re ideal for game days and potlucks because there’s no double-dipping and no mess. Plus, they look so cute lined up on a platter.
Air Fryer Spinach Mozzarella Sticks
These crisp up beautifully in the air fryer — you get that satisfying crunch and an epic cheese pull without any of the greasy mess from deep frying. The spinach and garlic take them way beyond your average frozen mozzarella stick. Once you make these homemade, there’s no going back.
Air Fryer Stouffer’s Lasagna Bites
This is one of the most popular questions I get in the air fryer community — and for good reason. The air fryer transforms these frozen bites into something amazing, with a perfectly crispy outside and a hot, cheesy pasta center. Serve them with warm marinara for dipping and watch them vanish.
Easy Cream Cheese Pepper Dip
Creamy, tangy, and packed with a flavorful kick from sweet and spicy peppers — this dip comes together in minutes and pairs perfectly with crackers, chips, or fresh veggies. It’s my go-to when I need something quick and impressive for last-minute guests. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser every single time.
Air Fryer All Dressed Potato Chips
If you’ve ever fallen in love with the tangy, sweet, savory magic of Canadian all-dressed chips, this recipe is going to be your new obsession. I recreated that iconic flavor right at home, and the air fryer gets them perfectly crispy in just minutes. No deep frying, no guilt—just that satisfying crunch you’re craving!
Air Fryer Cheddar Ranch Pickle Chips
Tangy pickles coated in a zesty cheddar ranch crust and air-fried until golden—yes, they are every bit as good as they sound! These are my go-to low-carb snack when I want something bold, crispy, and totally addictive. Fair warning: they disappear fast, so you may want to make a double batch.
Air Fryer Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips
For those days when I need something salty and mouth-puckeringly tart, this is the recipe I reach for every single time. Soaking the slices in vinegar before air frying locks in that bold, punchy flavor while keeping every chip incredibly crispy. It’s a guilt-free way to enjoy one of the most classic chip flavors out there.
Air Fryer Keto Cloud Bread Chips
Just because you’re eating low-carb doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the crunch! These cloud bread chips come together with just eggs and cream cheese, and they crisp up beautifully in the air fryer. They’re perfect for scooping up your favorite dips without a single carb to worry about.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips
Sweet potatoes make the most incredible chips—naturally sweet, a little salty, and perfectly crispy around the edges. A few minutes in the air fryer is all it takes to get that gorgeous golden crunch. These are my favorite healthier afternoon snack when that chip craving hits hard!
Air Fryer Pickle Balls
Crispy, tangy, and completely irresistible—these little bites are everything! Chopped pickles, cream cheese, and cheddar get rolled in panko and air fried to golden perfection. They cook up so quickly and disappear even faster at any gathering!
cheesy Ritz Pickle Bites
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the most addictive, and these Ritz bites are proof! Just stack a pickle chip and your favorite cheese on a cracker and let the air fryer work its magic. Make sure you pat those pickles so dry—it makes all the difference!
Air Fryer Cheddar Ranch Pickle Chips
Ranch and pickles? A match made in snack heaven! Tangy pickles get coated in a zesty ranch-seasoned cheddar crust and air fried to golden, crispy perfection. They are dangerously easy to pop in your mouth—you’ve been warned!
Air Fryer Crispy Pickle & Cheese Filled Wontons
Gooey cheese and zesty pickles wrapped in a golden, crispy wonton—yes, please! These crisp up beautifully in just minutes and hit all the right flavor notes. Impossible to eat just one, so don’t even try!
air Fryer Pickles In A Blanket
Hankering for something a little different to serve at your next gathering? Move over, hot dogs—pickle spears wrapped in flaky crescent dough are the new party MVP! Crispy, savory, and so fun, these are sure to tantalize everyone’s taste buds.
Air Fryer Dill Pickle Saltines
Get ready for a flavor-packed snack sensation! A brush of pickle juice and butter plus a sprinkle of dill weed transforms plain saltines into a crispy, tangy treat that is totally addictive. Perfect for snacking by the handful or scooping up your favorite dip!
Dipping Sauce for Fried Pickles
You simply cannot serve fried pickles without the perfect dipping sauce—it’s a rule! This creamy, tangy, slightly spicy blend comes together in just 5 minutes and is so so yummy for all the pickle fanatics out there. I make a fresh batch every single time!
Easy Jason’s Deli Muffuletta Recipe
You don’t need to live near a Jason’s Deli — or New Orleans, for that matter — to enjoy this iconic sandwich! The layers of savory Italian meats, provolone, and that briny olive salad soaked right into the bread make this one of the most satisfying old school deli sandwiches you’ll ever make at home.
Air Fryer Tuna Melt
Nothing is more classically diner than a hot, gooey tuna melt — and the air fryer does a fantastic job of crisping up the bread while the cheese melts perfectly over the savory tuna salad inside. It’s amazing, and it comes together in no time!
Air Fryer Turkey Club Sandwich
A triple-decker club sandwich is a true diner staple, and this one is a perfect example of using your air fryer to make a quick, satisfying meal. Stacked with roasted turkey, crispy bacon, and fresh tomatoes on golden toasted bread — and it only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish!
Arby’s Classic French Dip Sandwich Recipe
This copycat French Dip brings restaurant-quality comfort right to your kitchen — thinly sliced roast beef, melted Swiss, and plenty of rich au jus for dipping. Whether you’re feeding the family or just craving something warm and cheesy, this one checks all the boxes. Don’t forget the napkins!
Open Faced Sloppy Joes – Wahlburger Copycat
Get ready to sink your teeth into these open-faced sloppy joes — piled high with saucy, flavorful ground beef on toasted bread and topped with melty cheese. It’s messy, it’s delicious, and it’s guaranteed to bring on all the nostalgic comfort food feelings!
Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol
Creamy, classic chicken salad is one of those timeless deli staples that never goes out of style. This copycat recipe is perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or just eating straight from the bowl — it’s that good and that easy to make at home!
Air Fryer Monte Cristo Sandwich
Believe it or not, this sweet-and-savory classic has roots going all the way back to Paris — and it’s one of my all-time favorite sandwiches. The air fryer gives it that gorgeous deep golden crust with perfectly melted cheese inside, and it comes together so much faster than the traditional method!
Air Fryer Cuban Sandwich
A pressed Cubano loaded with roast pork, ham, Swiss, and pickles is an old school masterpiece — and if you’ve ever had a real one, you know exactly what I mean. The air fryer mimics a sandwich press beautifully, giving you that signature crispy exterior and gooey, melty center every single time.
Air Fryer Fried Pastrami Sandwich
Calling all sandwich lovers — forget the traditional version, because this Air Fryer Fried Pastrami Sandwich is about to become your new favorite! The air fryer creates a perfectly crispy crust on the bread while the pastrami and cheese inside stay tender, juicy, and absolutely delicious.
Air Fryer Cranberry Bread with Orange Glaze
This is one of those recipes I come back to again and again the moment cranberries hit the produce section. The air fryer cuts the bake time way down, and that orange glaze soaks right into the top of the warm loaf in the best possible way. It’s the perfect cozy slice for a chilly fall morning.
Air Fryer Cranberry Meatballs
Cranberry meatballs are a perfect holiday appetizer, and making them in the air fryer makes the whole thing even easier. The cranberry sauce caramelizes into a sticky, sweet, and tangy glaze that is absolutely irresistible. These are always the first thing to disappear at any gathering — every single time.
Air Fryer Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Sandwiches
Who says you have to wait until Thanksgiving to enjoy a turkey and cranberry sandwich? The air fryer gets the bread perfectly toasted while the brie melts into something creamy and dreamy. That sweet and savory combination is so good, I honestly don’t wait for leftovers anymore — I just make it any time of year.
Bob Evans Cranberry Relish Recipe
Bright, sweet, tangy, and full of fresh flavor — this cranberry relish is a staple on my holiday table every year. It comes together in just minutes with a handful of simple ingredients, which makes it one of the easiest things I prep for a big meal. It’s the perfect complement to turkey, ham, or really anything festive.
Air Fryer Cranberry Walnut Bread
Now that fresh cranberries are back in stock, this is such an easy recipe to throw together in the air fryer. You get a tender quick bread packed with tart cranberries and crunchy walnuts, and it bakes up beautifully every time. A thick slice with a hot cup of coffee is honestly one of my favorite fall mornings.
Cranberry Dip (5 Minutes, 5 Ingredients)
This cranberry dip takes five minutes, one blender, and five ingredients you probably already have on hand. Cranberry sauce and sour cream get a sharp hit of horseradish and a little heat from jalapeño, and what comes out is a creamy, savory-sweet dip that disappears faster than anything else on the appetizer table. It’s my go-to when I need something fast and impressive.
Air Fryer Cranberry Muffin For One
Sometimes you just want one perfect muffin — and this recipe delivers every time. It bakes up fluffy and studded with tart cranberries in the air fryer in no time at all, and yes, dried cranberries work great too if that’s what you have! It’s my favorite little treat on a quiet weekday morning.
